Durbanville Hills Vineyard Selection Biesjes Craal Sauvignon Blanc 2012

Colour: Brilliant green.
Nose: The nose is a well balanced combination of grapefruit, lime zest, ripe pear with a herbaceous character.
Taste: Crisp and fresh with hints of minerality, citrus and green apple, ending with along, lingering aftertaste.

Enjoy on its own slightly chilled or served with Caprice salad, tabouleh, tomato gazpacho, sushi, teppanyaki as well as devilled and peri-peri chicken.

variety : Sauvignon Blanc [ 100% Sauvignon Blanc ]
winemaker : Martin Moore and Gunther Kellerman
wine of origin : 
analysis : alc : 13.96 % vol  rs : 1.9 g/l  pH : 3.25  ta : 6.1 g/l  
type : White  style : Dry  
pack : Bottle  size : 0  closure : Cork  

AWARDS
2013 Veritas Wine Awards - Bronze Medal
2013 International Wine and Spirit Competition - Silver Outstanding
2013 Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show - Silver
in the vineyard : Background
Nine leading vineyard owners in the Durbanville district joined forces with Distell to create Durbanville Hills with the aim of promoting the regional individuality of this prime winegrowing area. The striking Durbanville Hills cellar sits on the side of a series of rolling hills with magnificent views of Table Mountain and Table Bay - the very geography that lies at the heart of what makes the wines so unique. The Durbanville ward is officially considered one of the Cape's two coolest wine regions, thanks to the sea breezes that drift inland from False Bay and Table Bay and the late afternoon mists that bathe the slopes. These conditions are ideal for the slow ripening of the grapes, allowing them to develop their full-flavoured, intense character. Grapes are sourced only from the shareholder-growers, all of whom farm within the limited appellation of Durbanville. Meticulous crop control limits yields and promotes concentration of varietal flavour. Cellarmaster Martin Moore uses highly advanced cellar technology to ensure optimal extraction of colour and flavour.

Sustainable practices include maintaining the disciplines imposed by International Environmental Standard ISO 140001 such as in the treatment of waste water back to irrigation quality. In all its vineyards the growing practices prescribed by IPW (Integrated Production of Wine) are followed. These are designed to sustain natural resources. In addition, the members protect on their farms 210 ha of endangered Renosterveld as part of the Biodiversity Wine Initiative (BWI).

This vineyard-specific wine takes its name from Biesjes Craal, an early outpost in what is now Milnerton, where salt was collected and for oxen to graze and rest.

The vineyards (vineyard consultant: Drikus Heyns)
The winter preceding the 2012 vintage was wet and cold and the crucial flavour producingripening period for Sauvignon blanc grapes was cool and dry, resulting in very healthy grapeswith small berries and concentrated flavour. The untrellised block imparted intense earthy, pepperyflavours which we prefer for this single vineyard wine.

about the harvest: The grapes were hand-picked at 23,5° Balling in the middle of February, with prominent grassy flavours.

in the cellar : The crushed fruit were given four hours' skin contact to extract all possible flavour before the juice was cold fermented between 12°C and 14°C. Dry ice was used to protect the must and young wine against oxidation.

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OTHER VINTAGES

Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc